Unix convention in shell prompts is that the trailing character '$' is used for non-root users, and '#' for root (essentially).

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Yes, it certainly has. Very long standing custom.

However in these modern times, I always use a colour prompt, and have it so the username comes up in red if root, and another colour if not root.
I find the red is far more visible and noticeable than the #.


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For what it's worth, this is what I use. Customise colours to preference.
(note colours range from 31 to 36, and 01 and 00 indicate bold/nonbold.


if [ "${USER}" = "root" ]; then
USER_COL="01;31"; PATH_COL="01;33"
else
USER_COL="01;33"; PATH_COL="01;32"
fi
HOST_COL="01;37"
export PS1="\n\[\e[${USER_COL}m\]\u @ \[\e[${HOST_COL}m\]\h > \[\e[${PATH_COL}m\]\w/\[\e[0;38m\]\n-> "
unset HOST_COL PATH_COL USER_COL



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My apologies, while you are correct, I was referring to the $ in the example SUDO_PS1 given. :)

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Try it.

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Don't have to, just realised I forgot about \$. I'll shut up now. :)

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